Case for transporting and storing a garment

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a case for transporting and storing garments, especially collapsible garments, and especially petticoats. The case may be fashioned of a tubular housing usually maintained in an upright, vertical orientation. The housing includes a base end that may be flared outwardly to help stabilize the housing in an upright position. At least one end, and preferably both ends, of the housing are open whereby a garment, such as a petticoat, may be stuffed into the hollow interior of the housing. The interior of the housing is sized and surfaced such that the garment is maintained within the housing through compressive frictional engagement with the interior will of the housing. A case and garment combination is also disclosed. A method for transporting and storing a garment is also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following invention relates to a case for transporting and storing a garment, especially a petticoat, and also relates to the combination of the case and the garment, and to a method of transporting and storing a garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many garments are transported and stored on hangers, sometimes with a surrounding plastic garment bag for protection against rain, dust, light, and other deleterious elements. It is often difficult to find an appropriate rack, hook, or other structure upon which to mount the hanger, and there is often simply not enough space available on such a rack, hook, or other structure to place all of the desired hangers and associated garments. Moreover, the garments may become twisted, flattened, or crushed by placing them adjacent to other hung garments or by placing them on a car seat, table, or other surface if there is no rack, hook, or other structure where the hanger may be mounted.

When storing garments on hangers in a closet, the space beneath the garments is often devoid of items, and is wasted, vacant space. As such, it would be desirable to use such space for the purpose of storing garments.

The present invention focused on designing a case for transporting and storing petticoats, especially those of a type customarily used in connection with square dancing, although it will be appreciated from reading further that the present invention is useful for a wider variety of clothing and apparel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a case for transporting and storing garments, especially collapsible garments, and especially petticoats. The case may be fashioned of a tubular housing usually maintained in an upright, vertical orientation. The housing includes a base end that may be flared outwardly to help stabalize the housing in an upright position. At least one end, and preferably both ends, of the housing are open whereby a garment, such as a petticoat, may be stuffed into the hollow interior of the housing. The interior of the housing is sized and surfaced such that the garment is maintained within the housing through compressive frictional engagement with the interior wall of the housing. A handle may be connected to the housing, such as a pivotable bail mounted at the upper end of the housing, so that the housing and the garment contained herein may be transported especially while maintaining the housing in an upright, vertical orientation. A case and garment combination is also disclosed. A method for transporting and storing a garment is also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanied drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a petticoat of the type customarily used in square dancing, and thus depicts a prior art petticoat;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a case in accordance with one embodiment present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the case shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another side view of the case shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the case shown in FIG. 3 taken along a vertical plane;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the case shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the case shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 depicts the case shown in FIG. 5 with the petticoat shown in FIG. 1 contained therein for transporting and storage.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same item.

There is shown in FIG. 1 a prior art petticoat of a type commonly used for square dancing. Petticoats are typically considered undergarments over which a skirt or dress is worn. Also, petticoats typically are secured about and hang from the waist of a human.

Historically, petticoats have been fashioned from a wide variety of materials, such as wool or silk, and have even been quilted for additional warmth. Petticoats have also extended down to the human wearer's ankles, but recently tend to extend down to, or slightly above, the human wearer's knee.

In recent decades, petticoats have been fashioned of material such as netlike crinoline, nylon chiffon, taffeta, and organdy. A feature of most of these relatively modern petticoats is that they are fashioned of tiered, ruffled, and stiffened materials. As shown in FIG. 1, such construction of a petticoat causes the petticoat to flare uniformly, circumferentially outwardly and downwardly away from the waist of the human wearer. When such petticoats are hung on conventional hangers or conventional hanger bags, they tend to puff out and assume a great deal of space, and if they are flattened, especially for a prolonged period of time, then the petticoats may not flare uniformly outwardly and downwardly when worne on a human.

Although it will be appreciated from reading further that the present invention is especially suited for transporting and storing petticoats of the recent type of construction, the invention may also be employed with a wide variety of women's undergarments, outer garments, and other non-rigid, collapsible garments. Such garments include, but are not limited to, slips, chemises, dresses, skirts, jackets, and coats. For the sake of simplicity, but not limitation, the invention will be described with reference to transporting and storing a petticoat of the type shown in FIG. 1.

There shown in FIG. 2, a perspective view of a case 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The case 10 includes a substantially tubular housing 12 preferably having an essentially cylindrical outer wall and an essentially cylindrical inner wall concentrically arranged about a common axis. As shown in FIG. 6, the internal diameter of the housing 12 is in the range of about 7 inches to about 16 inches, more preferably about 8 inches to about 12 inches, and most preferably about 9 inches. The housing 12 preferably has a substantially uniform thickness of about one-quarter to one-half inch. As shown in FIG. 3, the height 14 of the housing 12 preferably ranges from about 15 inches to about 36 inches, and most preferably about 24 inches. The housing 12 is preferably integrally fashioned of a cellulose, plastic, metal, or composite material. As such, the housing 12 is substantially rigid, although it is contemplated that the housing 12 may have some flexibility.

As shown in FIGS. 2-8, the bottom end or base of the housing 12 possesses a flared section that is preferably substantially conical in shape. The length of the flared section is preferably in the range of about 3 inches to about 8 inches, and most preferably about 4 inches. The angle of the flared section relative to the axis of the housing 12 is preferably in the range of thirty degrees to about sixty degrees, and most preferably about forty-five degrees. As shown in FIG. 7, most preferably the outer-most diameter of the flared section is about 12 inches in the embodiment where the internal diameter of the housing 12 is about 9 inches. As will be best appreciated from FIGS. 2-5 the flared section helps to stabilize the housing 12 in a generally upright position when the housing 12 is placed on a floor or other supporting surface such that the axis of the housing 12 extends upwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the floor or other supporting surface.

The case 10 may also include a handle for carrying the housing 12. Such handle may be in the form of a bail 16, as best shown in FIGS. 2-6 and 8. The bail 16 may be fashioned of metal, plastic or other suitable material and is preferably covered with a soft rubber coating or other material to aid as a grip when a person manually grasps the bail 16 for transporting the case 10. The bail 16 is preferably fashioned in a bow configuration, however other configurations may adventitiously be employed. The bail 16 may be fashioned as a rod having a circular cross-section, however other cross-sectional configurations may also be employed. The ends of the bail 16 are bent inwardly toward each other. Preferably, the bail 16 is resilient such that the inwardly bent ends may be pulled away from each other under bias and so the ends “spring” back toward each other upon releasing the ends. As best shown in FIGS. 4-6, the housing 12 may be provided with a pair of diametrically opposed ears 18 integrally formed on the outside wall of the housing 12. Each ear 18 possesses aperture, such as a circular aperture, for receiving a corresponding inwardly bent end of the bail 16. Preferably, the aperture in each ear 18 is configured so that the bail 16 may freely pivot within each ear 18, as indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the inwardly bent bail ends do not extend into and are not even exposed to the void defined by the inner wall of the housing 12 in order to ensure that the petticoat will not rub against or snag upon the bail ends.

In addition to the aforementioned bail 16, the handle for the case 10 may comprise a strap or a rope, for example. Also, the handle may be mounted on the outer wall of the housing 12, and regardless of where mounted, the handle may be secured to the housing 12 by adhesive, screws, bolts, nails, rivets, hook and loop fasteners a/k/a Velcro®, and other securing means known to those skilled in the field.

At least one of the longitudinal ends of the housing 12 is substantially open, and very preferably both the upper end and the bottom end are open.

As best shown in FIG. 8, a petticoat may be inserted into the bottom end of the housing 12 in a collapsed condition and may be pushed through the open bottom end and/or pulled through the open upper end to a position where the petticoat is contained and slightly squeezed within the interior wall of the housing 12. Ideally, the top of the petticoat will be disposed slightly beneath the upper end of the housing 12, and the lower end of the petticoat will be disposed slightly above the flared bottom end of the housing 12. It should be appreciated that the petticoat may be inserted into the interior of the housing 12 through the upper open end of the housing 12 as well.

The petticoat is maintained within the housing 12 while in a sustantially upright orientation by compressive frictional engagement between the outer periphery of the petticoat and the inner wall of the housing 12. As such, the size, diameter, or other configuration of the inner wall of the housing 12 and the texture and other characteristics of the surface of the inner wall of the housing 12 may be selected to provide an appropriate degree of compressive friction so that the petticoat tends not to move from within the housing 12 unless abnormal forces are applied against the petticoat or the housing 12. Once the petticoat is stuffed within the housing 12, the housing may be carried by means of the bail 16 to a different location. The pivotable feature of the bail with respect to the housing 12, permits the housing 12 to be maintained in an upright, relatively vertically oriented position during transit. Because of the compressive frictional engagement of the outer periphery of the petticoat with the inner wall of the housing 12, the petticoat will remain within the housing 12 and tend not to move within the housing 12, under normal forces, such as any swinging of the housing 12 relative to the bail 16 or when the housing 12 is dropped in an upright position onto a floor or other supporting surface.

The compressive frictional engagement should be selected preferably so that the petticoat may be easily removed by hand from the interior of the housing 12 when it is desired to wash or wear the petticoat. The petticoat is preferably removed from the upper open end, but also may be removed from the bottom open end.

As an additional feature of the present invention, the flared section of the housing 12 may be provided with a series of holes or apertures that permit ventilation in the bottom region of the housing 12 so that air may flow from the open upper end of the housing 12, through the interior of the housing and the petticoat, and out through the holes or apertures in the wall of the flared section of the housing 12, or in a reverse direction. Such ventilation helps keep the petticoat from becoming dank, and also helps prevent mildew and other microbes from tarnishing or harming the petticoat and the inner wall of the housing 12.

In an alternate embodiment, the housing 12 may possess a frusto-conical configuration such that the inner wall of the housing 12 tapers slightly outwardly from top to bottom. Such a configuration permits a plurality of cases 10 to be nestably stacked on top of each other when not containing garments whereby the housing 12 of a lower case extends upwardly into the interior of the next upper case 10. Such a configuration of a housing 12 preferably eliminates any outwardly projecting ears 18 for receiving the bail 16, but rather, the bail 16 may be secured through diametrically opposing holes extending through the wall of the housing 12, which may be reinforced by relatively thickened inner wall surfaces in the regions around the holes. The preferred dimensions of such a configuration are a nine inch internal diameter at the top or smaller end of the housing 12, a ten inch internal diameter just above the flared section of the housing 12, and a twelve inch internal diameter at the bottom edge of the flared section of the housing 12.

As another option, one or both longitudinal ends of the housing 12 may be provided with lids or caps that may be releasably secured to the housing 12 as a means for further protecting the petticoat from rain, dust, light, and other external elements.

From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the case 10 of the present invention permits the petticoat to be easily transported, stored, and protected. There is no need to find any rack, hook or any other structure from which to hang the petticoat. The petticoat may be stored within the casing in a closet beneath any other garments that are hung in the closet. Moreover, the petticoat may be stored such that only a slight compression is applied inwardly against the petticoat, so that the petticoat is not flattened, and so that the petticoat may more readily assume a full, uniformly flared condition when removed from the case 10 and worn by a human.

While exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations within the scope of the invention may exist. The foregoing examples are not intended to limit the nature or the scope of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detail description provides those skilled in the art with a foundation for implementing other exemplary embodiments of the invention. 

1. A case adapted for transporting and storing a collapsible garment, said case comprising: a substantially tubular, substantially rigid housing having an interior void, an interior wall defining said interior void, and at least one open longitudinal end through which said collapsible garment may be inserted into said interior void, said interior wall being selectively configured and surfaced such that when said collapsible garment is inserted through said at least one longitudinal end and into said interior void, the outer periphery of said collapsible garment contacts said interior wall and said collapsible garment is maintained within said housing essentially only by compressive frictional engagement between the outer periphery of said collapsible garment and said interior wall; and a handle connected to said housing.
 2. A case according to claim 1 wherein said interior void of said housing is substantially cylindrical and possesses a diameter substantially in the range of about 7 inches to about 16 inches.
 3. A case according to claim 2 wherein said range is about 8 inches to about 12 inches.
 4. A case according to claim 3 wherein said range is about 9 inches.
 5. A case according to claim 1 wherein said at least one open longitudinal end of said housing possesses an outwardly flared configuration such that said housing may rest upon its outwardly flared longitudinal end in a substantially upright condition.
 6. A case according to claim 5 wherein said flared configuration is substantially conical and extends at an angle substantially in the range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees.
 7. A case according to claim 5 wherein the length of said flared configuration is substantially in the range of about 3 inches to about 8 inches.
 8. A case according to claim 1 wherein said handle comprises a substantially bowed rod, the ends of which are bent and oriented inwardly toward the other rod end, said rod being resilient such that the rod ends may be forcefully moved against a bias away from each other and return toward each other when such force is released, the outer surface of said housing possessing a pair of ears adjacent to one longitudinal end of said housing, each ear provided with an associated aperture therein configured to received a corresponding rod end therein.
 9. A case according to claim 8 wherein each aperture is configured to receive a corresponding rod end pivotably therein.
 10. A case according to claim 5 wherein said housing is provided with a plurality of apertures extending therethrough in the region of said flared configuration.
 11. A case according to claim 1 wherein said housing possesses a substantially tapered interior wall such that said housing is adapted to receive stackably and nestably therein a like-constructed case.
 12. A case adapted for transporting and storing a collapsible garment, said case consisting essentially of: a substantially tubular, substantially rigid housing having an interior void, an interior wall defining said interior void, and at least one open longitudinal end through which said collapsible garment may be inserted into said interior void, said interior wall being selectively configured and surfaced such that when said collapsible garment is inserted through said at least one longitudinal end and into said interior void, the outer periphery of said collapsible garment contacts said interior wall and said collapsible garment is maintained within said housing essentially only by compressive frictional engagement between the outer periphery of said collapsible garment and said interior wall; and a handle connected to said housing.
 13. A case according to claim 12 wherein said interior void of said housing is substantially cylindrical and possesses a diameter substantially in the range of about 7 inches to about 16 inches.
 14. A case according to claim 13 wherein said range is about 8 inches to about 12 inches.
 15. A case according to claim 14 wherein said range is about 9 inches.
 16. A case according to claim 12 wherein said at least one open longitudinal end of said housing possesses an outwardly flared configuration such that said housing may rest upon its outwardly flared longitudinal end in a substantially upright condition.
 17. A case according to claim 16 wherein said flared configuration is substantially conical and extends at an angle substantially in the range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees.
 18. A case according to claim 16 wherein the length of said flared configuration is substantially in the range of about 3 inches to about 8 inches.
 19. A case according to claim 12 wherein said handle comprises a substantially bowed rod, the ends of which are bent and oriented inwardly toward the other rod end, said rod being resilient such that the rod ends may be forcefully moved against a bias away from each other and return toward each other when such force is released, the outer surface of said housing possessing a pair of ears adjacent to one longitudinal end of said housing, each ear provided with an associated aperture therein configured to received a corresponding rod end therein.
 20. A case according to claim 19 wherein each aperture is configured to receive a corresponding rod end pivotably therein.
 21. A case according to claim 16 wherein said housing is provided with a plurality of apertures extending therethrough in the region of said flared configuration.
 22. A case according to claim 12 wherein said housing possesses a substantially tapered interior wall such that said housing is adapted to receive stackably and nestably therein a like-constructed case.
 23. A case adapted for transporting and storing a collapsible garment, said case comprising: means for receiving the garment in a collapsed state and for containing the collapsed garment essentially only by compressive friction applied against an outer periphery of the garment when the garment is in a collapsed state; and means connected to said receiving and containing means for assisting a person in manually carrying said receiving and containing means at least when the garment is in a collapsed state and the collapsed garment is received and contained in said receiving and containing means.
 24. A carrying case including a collapsible garment stowed therein, wherein said case comprises: means for receiving the garment in a collapsed state and for containing the collapsed garment essentially only by compressive friction applied against an outer periphery of the collapsed garment when the garment is in a collapsed state; and means connected to said receiving and containing means for assisting a person in manually carrying said receiving and containing means at least when the garment is in a collapsed state and the collapsed garment is received and contained in said receiving and containing means; and wherein said collapsed garment is contained in said receiving and containing means essentially only by compressive friction applied against an outer periphery of said collapsed garment.
 25. A carrying case including a collapsed garment according to claim 24 wherein said garment consists essentially of a petticoat.
 26. A method of stowing a garment comprising: (a) providing a case comprising a substantially tubular, substantially rigid housing having an interior void, an interior wall defining said interior void, and having an open longitudinal base end possessing an outwardly flared configuration such that said housing may rest and stand upon the outwardly flared longitudinal base end thereof in a substantially upright condition; (b) passing said garment in a collapsed state through said open longitudinal base end of said housing; (c) stuffing said garment into said interior void such that said garment is retained in said housing essentially only by compressive frictional engagement of the outer periphery of said collapsed garment against the interior wall of said housing; and (d) after step (c), resting said housing on said open longitudinal base end thereof such that said housing stands in a substantially upright condition while said garment is stuffed therein.
 27. A method according to claim 26 wherein said garment consists essentially of a petticoat.
 28. A method according to claim 27 wherein said case further comprises a handle connected to said housing and wherein said method further comprises (e) carrying said case by said handle such that said housing continues to be in substantially upright condition.
 29. A method according to claim 26 wherein said housing possesses a substantially tapered interior wall such that said housing is adapted to receive stackably and nestably therein a like-constructed case.
 30. A case for transporting and storing a garment comprising: a housing possessing a substantially open, outwardly flared bottom end and a substantially open upper end, said housing adapted to rest upon said flared bottom end whereby said housing stands in an upright condition; means for receiving the garment in a collapsed state and for containing the collapsed garment essentially only by compressive friction applied against an outer periphery of the collapsed garment when the garment is in a collapsed state; and means for transporting said housing while substantially continuously maintaining said housing in a substantially upright condition.
 31. A case according to claim 30 wherein said housing possesses a substantially tapered interior wall such that said housing is adapted to receive stackably and nestably therein a like-constructed case. 